cause just as many problems as the left-armer will be turning the ball aw

CHICAGO -- It was a step back in time for Chicago Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist.Before a recent game, he hopped on his bike in his uniform, with his glove in hand and wearing black P.F. Flyers, and rode to Wrigley Field.I just wanted to get that feeling, he said. Its that feeling of youre riding to the sandlot like a kid. This place makes you feel like a kid.Zobrists ride a few weeks ago became an internet sensation after his singer-songwriter wife, Julianna, posted video and a picture of him on a bike ready to leave on her Instagram account . It also fit the life-is-fun theme preached by manager Joe Maddon that has included onesie-wearing plane rides and zoo animal visits for a team that has rolled into the postseason.Living near the workplace is one of the unique attractions of playing in a vibrant neighborhood like Wrigleyville. For the players and staff who take advantage, it means almost nonexistent commutes, more time with family and a chance to mingle with the surroundings in a way that might not be possible in other cities. For residents, well, you might have a Cub living next door.In a sense, it puts a different spin on the term friendly confines. Zobrist, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta all live in the neighborhood. So does president of baseball operations Theo Epstein. And general manager Jed Hoyer is just a few minutes drive away, in Lincoln Park.I think guys love that, Hoyer said. I think the neighborhood feel is great. The families like it. They can walk with their kids to the ballpark. The lifestyle stuff definitely sells a little bit.For Zobrist, it was a big selling point when he signed with the Cubs in the offseason. The native of central Illinois and his family live about a mile from Wrigley in a home with a miniature basketball court and play area outside for their three young children.Zobrist often takes his bike to the ballpark, though that ride in uniform was a first. But the biggest benefit is the extra time at home. When he played in other cities he had to leave around 2 p.m. for a night game. Now? Sometimes as late as 4.Its just a special thing, Zobrist said. Theyre never going to make another venue like this in professional sports where its basically in a neighborhood. And because of that, it has such a unique feel. I mean, its honestly baseball heaven on earth.For Lester, calling the neighborhood home was not the plan.He lived near Fenway Park for a few years when he played for the Red Sox before buying a house about a half hour away in Newton. When he signed with the Cubs before the 2015 season, he was seeking some separation from home and work so he looked in the suburbs.But he balked at the idea of sitting in traffic and eventually found a house about a mile from Wrigley. Sometimes his wife will walk to the ballpark, though he drives.I love being closer, Lester said. Its nice, especially when you get in from late road trips and youre two minutes from home.Hendricks and his fiancee enjoy hitting the shops and restaurants along the Southport corridor a few blocks from the ballpark. This time last year, he could walk the streets without any recognition. But thats starting to change thanks to a breakout season in which he -- like Lester -- is in the running for the NL Cy Young Award.Most of the time, its middle-aged people coming up wanting to shake your hand, maybe take a picture, said Hendricks, who lived downtown when he came up to the Cubs in 2014. Shake your hand and really just talk to you for a second -- how well the seasons going, how much theyre enjoying all this time. Thats something that you notice is a little different than other places you go, where you find many more autograph seekers.The neighborhood around Wrigley Field has experienced its share of ups and downs ever since Charles Weeghmans Chicago Whales of the Federal League moved to the ballpark in 1914. It became known as Wrigleyville in the 1980s when real estate agents renamed the area to capitalize on the Cubs popularity, and it is undergoing another transformation thanks to a multiyear renovation to the ballpark and its surroundings by the Ricketts family.Video boards, new bleacher sections and a state-of-the-art home clubhouse have already been added. An office building is being constructed outside the ballpark and a hotel is going up across the street.For all the bars and restaurants and construction and game-day crowds, there still are plenty of quiet tree-lined streets nearby for a small-town feel in a bustling metropolis.Its something longtime Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster noticed when he joined the team in 2004 and moved into the neighborhood. He could walk home after a game, see people playing cornhole in their yard and stop to have a beer with them.Theres something really special about being a Chicago Cub and to be in the neighborhood and see the passion behind all the people, from bar owners to a coffee shop to whatever it is -- they really support their team and love their team, said Dempster, who works in the front office. And theres a mutual feeling. I felt the same way about the people in the neighborhood, the businesses. The environment was great.Cheap Bucks Jerseys . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. Custom Bucks T-shirts . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. http://www.custombucksjersey.com/custom-oscar-robertson-jersey-large-77u.html .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Custom Oscar Robertson Jersey . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. Cheap Custom Bucks Jersey . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1.Sir Ian Botham says England should not be written off ahead of their Test series in India with Ben Stokes backed to lead them to victory.After Englands recent struggles on the sub-continent in Bangladesh - drawing the series 1-1 - India go into the five-match campaign as red-hot favourites.But Botham, who will be commentating on the series for Sky Sports, says England are capable of repeating their 2012/13 series success in the country. Watch all five Tests live on Sky Sports as Alastair Cooks side take on the No 1 side in the world The former all-rounder said: The last time England were here no-one saw them winning and we hammered them (by 10 wickets in Mumbai and seven wickets in Kolkata to win the series 2-1) so lets not get lets not get too gloomy.Forget Bangladesh - this is the Test series that matters. Congratulations to them but everyone is looking at this series. Its the number-one team against the guys who could be number one further down the line.Botham, who is also providing his tips for Sky Bet during the series, added: Theres no value in backing India at 1/10. If youre having bet, it has to be England at 12/1 - you can even have a saver at 10/1 on the drawn series although they are rare these days. Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain discuss the key to success for England as they prepare for the first of their five-match Test series in India Botham, who toured India himself with England back in 1981/82, also believes Stokes is the man who can shine with the bat for the tourists with his positive approach set to reap dividends.ddddddddddddWith holes having appeared in Englands top order, Stokes - 7/1 to be Englands top runscorer - looks capable of capitalising, just as he did in South Africa last winter when he made a memorable 258 in Cape Town, says Botham.Stokes can destroy spinners. He will attack them and be aggressive. As far as the bowlers go, you have to back a spinner to star - its going to be hard work for the seamers - but we arent entirely sure whos going to play.Moeen Ali should though and I can see him taking plenty of wickets in India. Ali is 11/4 to be Englands top wicket-taker in the series.After a sensational 2016 which has seen him take 44 wickets in seven Tests at an average of 19.86, Ravi Ashwin is the man everyones talking about in Indias attack but Botham believes Ravindra Jadeja - 7/2 to be Indias leading wicket-taker - could cause just as many problems as the left-armer will be turning the ball away from most of Englands best batsmen. Ravindra Jadeja: Can cause problems with his left-arm spin As for top India bat, Ajinkya Rahane (9/2) is one to keep an eye on and capable of outshining Indias leading light Virat Kohli, says Beefy.Beefys Bets for the India v England seriesEngland to win - 12/1Ben Stokes to be top England runscorer - 7/1Moeen Ali to be top England wicket-taker - 11/4Ravindra Jadeya to be top India wicket-taker - 7/2Ajinkya Rahane to be top India runscorer - 9/2 Watch the first Test between India and England in Rajkot on Wednesday, live from 3.30am on Sky Sports 2 Watch the first Test between India and England from 3.30am on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 2 HD. Or watch the whole of the first Test for £10.99 without a contract - with a Week Pass from NOW TV.Also See:Roots England insightsBen Duckett blogDebut for HameedSky Cricket Podcast ' ' '